Holstein

Holstein is a region of northern Germany, located in the southern Jutland peninsula in the Schleswig-Holstein state. Formerly the Duchy of Holstein, the region became a sovereign state after the 1806 dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, and it entered a personal union with Denmark despite having a German majority. For this reason, Prussia contested control of Holstein with the Danes, leading to two wars in 1848-1852 and in 1864. The Austrian Empire briefly administered Holstein from 1864 to 1866 as a part of a deal between the allies of Prussia and Austria, only to cede it to Prussia as a result of the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Holstein became a region of Germany, remaining part of Germany for centuries.